Treating water at an environmental complex, without discharge
Neuville Environmental Complex
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The Neuville Environmental Complex, managed and operated by Récolo, processes several streams of residual materials, including septic sludge and the water generated by its environmental facilities.
Récolo chose to act proactively on an issue facing many landfills: reducing the volume of leachate to be treated and discharged into the Jacques-Cartier River, relieving its water treatment plant, already close to capacity, and equipping itself with a tool for managing emerging contaminants such as PFAS.
The project also aimed to valorize a closed former landfill cell by establishing a productive environmental infrastructure on it.
The solution implemented
Ramo installed an Evaplant® system on the final cover of a former landfill at the Neuville Environmental Complex.
The system is based on:
- controlled irrigation of effluents
- distribution to the root zone of the willows
- automated management of water inputs
- high-density planting of fast-growing willows
The planting acts as a no-discharge treatment infrastructure integrated into the site's operations, which reduces the volumes of water directed toward conventional treatment facilities accordingly.
Results and performance
Treatment without discharge
Treatment capacity without discharge of up to roughly 20,000 m³ per year.
Site valorization
Transformation of a former landfill cell into an active environmental infrastructure.
Agronomic performance
Planting of roughly 96,000 willows over an area of 6 hectares.
Preserved infrastructure
Reduced pressure on the complex's water treatment plant, already close to capacity, which helps defer investments.
Client testimonial
“This project allows us to manage our resources and facilities intelligently while improving our environmental performance.”
Bernard Gaudreau (Chair of Récolo, Mayor of Neuville and Warden of the Portneuf RCM at the time of the project announcement, September 2025)
The project received financial support from Tree Canada.
Co-benefits
Preserved infrastructure
Less water to treat: the plantation relieves the complex's treatment plant, already close to capacity, and helps defer investments.
A healthier Jacques-Cartier River
Every litre evaporated by the willows is one litre less in the river: a direct gain for ecosystems and for sensitive species such as salmon.
Better management of emerging pollutants
A team from the Institut de recherche en biologie végétale (IRBV) is monitoring the willows' ability to retain persistent contaminants such as PFAS.
Carbon captured and organic matter produced
The willows capture carbon and produce biomass that is turned into organic matter used in the complex's operations.
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